Bogus caller at Edenderry

Police are warning residents to be vigilant of bogus callers following distraction burglaries in Banbridge.

In one incident, a man called to a house in Edenderry Terrace between 4pm and 4.30pm on Monday August 4.

The man told the female occupant that he was carrying out work to the rear of her property and needed a look at her back garden.

The man ascertained that the occupant was at home alone and went to the back garden. The occupant came out to the garden through a rear door which was left ajar and spent approximately 20 minutes speaking to the man at the bottom of the garden.

The man left the garden through the gate and the occupant found the rear door closed.

When the occupant entered her home she discovered that rooms in her house were ransacked and a sum of cash and bank cards taken.

The man is described as being around 5ft 6in - 5ft 8in tall, of stocky build and aged between 50 and 60 years old.

He was wearing a plain grey, round neck, short sleeve t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. He spoke with a heavily accented voice, possibly north coast or English/Scottish.

Around 1pm on the same day, a male claiming to be from NI Water called to a house in Ballyoran Park, Portadown. The man was on foot and, after entering the house, he filled basins of water and checked her cupboards.

The man left the property a number of times to speak to his colleague although no one else was seen.

The occupant later discovered that a sum of cash had been taken from a handbag in the cloak room.

The man is described as being around 40 years old, of medium build and was wearing a dark baseball hat and navy blue tracksuit.

He spoke with an English accent.

Police are appealing for information in relation to both these incidents and can be contacted on the 101 non-emergency number.

Police are also reminding residents to protect themselves against bogus callers.